"Sexual orientation is an enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination of these) to persons of the opposite sex or gender, the same sex or gender, or to both sexes or more than one gender."
The self-perception and expression of an individual's sexual orientation.
Gender and Sexuality: Understanding the difference between sex and gender identity is important. While sex refers to biological sex characteristics of an individual, gender identity is an individual's sense of self as male, female, or non-binary.
Traditional Roles of Gender: Understanding the traditional roles of gender, which can vary depending on culture, religion, and historical context, can provide insight into how gender roles have evolved over time.
The Politics of Sexuality: The political and social context of sexuality, including laws and policies related to LGBTQ+ rights and discrimination, can help individuals understand the historical struggles of marginalized communities.
Historical perspectives of sexuality: Understanding the historical view of sexuality can help individuals gain perspective on how sexuality has evolved over time, including the role of sexuality in religion, and its impact on social, cultural and political constructs.
Myths and misconceptions about sexual identity: Sifting through myths and misconceptions about sexuality, such as sexuality issues are purely genetic or the idea that sexual orientation is a choice, can help individuals gain accurate knowledge.
Sex and gender in culture: Analyzing how cultural factors impact sex and gender identity, including the media representation and the role of popular culture in shaping sexual identity, can provide insight into the societal norms and beliefs.
Intersectionality: Understanding intersectionality can provide insights into the relationship of sexual identity with other factors such as race, ethnicity, disability, and social status.
Contemporary conversations and movements: Knowledge about contemporary movements, including the legal battles, advocacy, and political activism on sexual identity rights, can help individuals understand the struggles of marginalized sexual communities.
Hijra: A traditional third gender identity in South Asia, especially in India and Pakistan. Hijras are male-to-female transsexuals, intersex individuals or eunuchs, and they are often considered as spiritual or religious figures in Hindu, Muslim or Sikh cultures.
Two-Spirit: A native American concept that refers to people who have both male and female spirits or identities. Two-Spirit people have been recognized in various tribes, such as Navajo, Lakota, Cree, Zuni or Hopi, as healers, counselors, artists, or leaders.
Khatijah: A gender identity in Indonesia that is similar to Hijra. Khatijahs are men who adopt feminine mannerisms and dress, and they often perform at weddings or other festive occasions.
Berdache: An anthropological term used to describe a gender role that was found in some Native American societies, especially before European colonization. Berdaches were biologically male individuals who dressed and acted as females, and they performed domestic chores, childcare or artistic activities.
Eromenos/Eromene: A Greek term that refers to the younger male partner in a pederastic relationship. Pederasty was a common practice in ancient Greece, where older men would mentor and have sexual relationships with pubescent boys. The eromenos was often depicted as passive and beautiful, while the eromene was portrayed as dominant and mature.
"Asexuality (the lack of sexual attraction to others) is sometimes identified as the fourth category."
"People may use other labels, such as pansexual or polysexual, or none at all."
"Sexual orientation 'also refers to a person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions.'"
"Androphilia describes sexual attraction to masculinity; gynephilia describes the sexual attraction to femininity."
"Sexual preference largely overlaps with sexual orientation but is generally distinguished in psychological research. A person who identifies as bisexual, for example, may sexually prefer one sex over the other."
"Scientists theorize that it is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences."
"Scientists favor biologically based theories as there is considerably more evidence supporting nonsocial, biological causes of sexual orientation than social ones, especially for males."
"There is no substantive evidence which suggests parenting or early childhood experiences play a role with regard to sexual orientation."
"Across cultures, most people are heterosexual, with a minority of people having a homosexual or bisexual orientation."
"A person's sexual orientation can be anywhere on a continuum, from exclusive attraction to the opposite sex to exclusive attraction to the same sex."
"Sexual orientation is studied primarily within biology, anthropology, and psychology (including sexology)."
"It is also a subject area in sociology, history (including social constructionist perspectives), and law."
"These attractions are generally subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality."
"Sexual preference may suggest a degree of voluntary choice, whereas sexual orientation is not a choice."
"Scientists theorize that it is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences."
"There is considerably more evidence supporting nonsocial, biological causes of sexual orientation than social ones, especially for males."
"There is no substantive evidence which suggests parenting or early childhood experiences play a role with regard to sexual orientation."
"Asexuality (the lack of sexual attraction to others) is sometimes identified as the fourth category."
"A person's sexual orientation can be anywhere on a continuum, from exclusive attraction to the opposite sex to exclusive attraction to the same sex."